My Queens: Chapter 8
Summary: Bella takes a trip of a lifetime, but all is not as it seems.
Bella/Athenodora, Didyme, Sulpicia
"So you didn't kill her?" Emmett almost looked disappointed. She'd walked in with the twins to find the Cullens waiting for them. That did not surprise her in the least, with the exception of Rosalie and Jasper; the rest were just the most inquisitive bunch of vampires you'd ever met. Well, a close second to Marcus, who was just shameless about it. Bella was also not all that surprised by the sight of Edward among the bunch. She knew him well enough to know since he could not hound her with words, he'd do it with his presence. A fat lot of good that was going to do him. Bella had no intention of saying boo to him.
"Of course not. Chelsea thought herself untouchable, and she was not entirely wrong. She didn't look at the big picture, and today she saw it in its entirety. Corin isn't as inviolable. Her love for Corin makes her vulnerable, and nothing she can do about it. She learned her lesson, and that's what is important.
"I still say you should have taken an arm or something," Jane grumbled.
"Sweetheart, Afton was no threat. Chelsea owes me for the continued existence of her mate and sister, and she knows it." Bella muttered.
"A point we made sure to reiterate," Didyme said as she walked in with the other two.
"You are back earlier than I expected," Bella mumbled.
"Yes, there was not much to talk about. Marcus is rather angry at himself for not seeing their bond." Sulpicia smiled.
"Yes, how did he miss it?" Bella asked. The question had stayed with her ever since Jasper mentioned how strongly tied their emotions were to each other.
"There are two types of bonds. An example is the one with all have with our mates and Bella has with the twins. You could say, a fated bond, and then there are the ones formed over time." Carlisle explained.
"Marcus admitted he'd never particularly paid attention to their forming bond," Didyme informed them.
"I had no idea about formed bonds," Bella whispered.
"Oh, they are surprisingly common, and some are so strong not even Chelsea can interfere with them," Athenodora confirmed.
"Wait, so what happens when their fated mate then enters the picture?" Bella asked.
"Yes, it does pose a problem. Some find the formed bond is so strong that it makes no difference, but a mate is left out in the cold. Some find their existence upended. It is such a thorny issue that it is the one subject the Volturi aren't keen on ever hearing. So far, no one has brought the issue to them."
"You say it as though you aren't a member of the Volturi." Bella teased. "Did you three ever worry about one of you finding a mate?" Bella asked.
"No, as close as we were, we never allowed a mate bond to form between us. We all held something back, but no more." Sulpicia said with a smile as she slid onto Bella's lap. Athenodora and Didyme sat on either side of her. "In fact, we have fully embraced the love we have for each other and for you," Didyme added. After informing them of her confrontation with Afton, she was constantly surrounded by her mates and the twins. The Cullen's knew enough to leave them alone. Bella had never found herself in that position before and expected to feel suffocated, but she felt the opposite. They loved her, and an attempt had been made on her life. Even if Afton did not have a hope in hell of killing her, he still thought he could. For the first time since she found her mates, she had not been out of their sight for over a week.
"Does this mean we are canceling…" Bella started.
"Nice try, Isabella." Athenodora laughed.
"Worth a try," Bella grumbled.
"Bells, erm…"
"Em, if this is going where I think it's going, I will stop right now if I were you," Bella warned.
"What's going on?" Sulpicia asked, twisting in Bella's lap. Bella gripped her hips to keep her still, earning a smug smile in return.
"I'm banned from gaming for the next two years," Alec grumbled dejectedly.
"What did he do?" Didyme asked, straightening out his hair. Leave it to Didyme to feel sorry for him before she'd even heard why.
"I've had enough of his rooms looking as though a bomb went off. It's a damn good thing we aren't susceptible to human diseases, considering his room here and at the castle is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria." Bella ranted.
"How about if he manages…"
"Didyme, stop," Bella warned. "I have more times than I care to count told him to clean up after himself. Yesterday, I found seventeen empty blood bags in his room. Seventeen, Didyme." Bella glared at Alec, who had the decency to look contrite. Athenodora and Sulpicia looked thoroughly amused by it. It made a nice change that it wasn't them Bella was having a go at.
"I understand. I'm just saying instead of an outright ban, it should be more of an incentive. As long as Alec's rooms are clean, he can keep playing." Didyme's nails lightly scratched Bella's scalp. "And a six-month ban for the seventeen blood bags because that is just…"
"Nasty." Jane finished earning a glare from her brother.
Everyone knows Bella is not going to say no, especially to Didyme. "If…" Bella began.
"Ten years of no games, not even the silly little ones on his phone if I find a single blood bag in his room." Alec's triumphant look soon turned to horror. A thousand-year habit was not about to change anytime soon. Seeing his look, Bella agreed.
"You've got a deal." They shook on it.
"I'll take the two-year ban." Alec blurted.
"Nah, I like this better," Bella mumbled. "Excuse me, I'm going to heat up a blood bag; my throat has begun to burn. She should not have had that scotch knowing full well alcohol only exacerbated the burn." Bella's attempt to move Sulpicia is met with resistance. "Picia, I would like to stand… please." Bella groused.
"But I'm really comfortable in this position." She murmured.
"I'm sure you are, but I would still like to stand." Bella retorted, earning a pout in return. Bella stood abruptly before Sulpicia could protest and sent her flying onto Athenodora's lap. "Honestly, you'd think I was the adult in this room," Bella grumbled, annoyed. Her throat was truly burning, which was rare for her even after alcohol. The good stuff was delivered the previous evening for the party. Bella had never seen so much food and alcohol in one place.
"Well, outside these walls, you are the adult. You are an adult in their eyes and ours." Athenodora piped up. Laughter rang out, and Bella even smiled despite herself.
The day Bella had been dreading had arrived with all the pomp and circumstance she loathed. She had noticed the large fireworks set up at the edge of the property. There were even a couple of firesuits to boot, just in case. With Santiago and Demetri in charge, a safety precaution was warranted. Santiago was a vampire of few words, except where Rosalie was involved. Those two could easily spend the entire day talking about engines. Santiago had encouraged Rosalie to take up aeronautical engineering, and she had. Rosalie had applied to study at MIT, and of course, she was accepted. She had finished her course in three years, including her Master's degree. Several companies, including NASA, had offered her a job but turned them all down. Bella knew Rosalie hated turning the jobs down, but she wasn't willing to risk it.
She would admit she loved the tailored tux Alice got her. Of course, the vampire in question wasn't so keen on Bella's insistence on wearing a simple black cotton vest underneath instead of a dress shirt.
After Edward left, Alice suddenly understood Bella's sense of style better than Bella did. She stopped with the dresses and dressed Bella in fitted trousers and jackets. In fact, when Alice presented her with an entirely new wardrobe, Bella had feared the worst until Alice removed the cover on the railing to show dress shirts, vests, tuxes, all fitted. Not a dress or skirt insight.
Alice had exampled before she bought what Edward insisted. Since she knew it was temporary, she chose to not rock the boat needlessly. Bella found she now loved Alice's idea of playing Barbie. Because she looked too fucking good for complaints. The pièce de résistance was on one occasion when Rosalie's eyes had widened at the sight of Bella. Bella knew she looked good, but that was the confirmation she needed.
Bella's thoughts were brought sharply back to the present when her mates walked out. Athenodora's dress, if you could call it that. Was a strategically placed diamond nude dress. The V cut in the front went down to her navel. "Dora, I expected nothing less or rather nothing more." Bella teased as she kissed the corner of her mouth. "Didyme's had more cover, but not by much. While Athenodora's dress flared out at the waist. Didyme's hugged every inch of her curves, making the best of her hourglass figure, and those boobs were all Bella could see. So much so, she couldn't help but run her finger over them. "Your dress is not going to survive past this party," Bella whispered in her ear as though the others couldn't hear. Sulpicia surprised Bella with a rather conservative dress compared to the two. It covered every inch of her up to her neck until she turned around, and you could not miss the fact that it had no back all the way down to the top of her ass cheeks. "I should have known better." Bella chuckled.
"Now, darling… try to enjoy this night. Everyone in that tent is either family or friend. They all love you and want to be here to celebrate you. So many of these people were at one point terrified of us. Now, we are just…" Athenodora's voice trailed off as she straightened Bella's lapel. Bella had never known her to look and sound so serious well, except where Edward Cullen was involved. Who she was sure was also in that tent.
"Don't worry, I have every intention of thoroughly enjoying myself. If you can't beat them, join them." Bella grumbled.
"Now, that's the spirit." Sulpicia quipped.
"I think we should arrive in style," Bella murmured as the pool started to churn.
She laughed when the song they played for her arrival was Shall We Dance. She was grateful it was not a happy birthday, although she would not mind Stevie Wonder's version of the song. Bella felt rather smug at the gasp at the sight of her and her mates. After all, they appeared to be floating on water toward the tent. At the entrance of the tent, the water turned to stairs. "Ladies first." Athenodora led the way with an eye roll, followed by Didyme, then Sulpicia. Bella was the last to descend the steps, joining her mates.
"Happy…" Emmett's booming voice started.
"I will happily drench you in water." Bella threatened, shutting Emmett up. Bella looked around the large tent and smiled. "As much as I hated the idea of this, I will admit it is wonderful to see you all here. I hope you enjoy the evening. Thank you all for coming." Bella happily took the glass of scotch Jane handed her and drained it.
Bella made her way to Leah with a hug that lifted the she-wolf off the ground. "You visit Seth but not me," Leah growled, punching Bella in the arm.
"Hey, that hurt," Bella complained, rubbing the sore spot.
"I had no idea he was there. I just wanted to see the house. Hell, I was hiding in the woods." Bella grumbled.
"Really, that's not what Seth told me." Bella turned to find the wolf who was clearly hiding behind his imprint. Tanya just shook her head at his silliness.
"Never mind him. Hello sugar daddy." Bella teased Conall.
"You are one to talk." He replied, pulling her in for a hug. Conall might have five centuries on Leah, but it was nothing compared to her mates and her.
"Hello, aunty Bells." Leah's kids greeted. In truth, they weren't kids anymore, but being shifters meant they would not age if they chose. At nineteen, Bella was sure the boys would soon stop aging.
"Last time I saw you two, you were shorter than Jane, and that's saying something." Bella smiled at them. "Hello Niamh, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." Bella greeted Leah's youngest. She was a beauty just like her mother, and at sixteen, the suitors were lining up giving Conall grey hair. Not that the man was capable of growing grey hair.
"So, how is the boyfriend," Conall growled, and Leah simply glared at Bella. Niamh giggled at her aunty's antics. "I will catch you guys later. I've got to make the rounds." Bella sighed dramatically.
She'd barely taken a step toward the bar when Maggie pulled her aside. "You've got nothing to worry about. It was bound to happen eventually." Bella headed her off.
"I know, I know, but still, it sucks being the one to let the cat out of the bag. So, I hear you don't remember him." Maggie asked.
"No, it's strange. I remember everything else about the Cullens but not him." Maggie gave her a knowing look. With her gift, of course, she knew Bella was lying.
"I suppose it's for the best in the long run," Maggie mumbled, barely holding on to her laughter.
"Behave," Bella grumbled.
"Now, I'm going to have to actively avoid thinking about you or him." Maggie groaned, momentarily forgetting Edward's gift.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I doubt he's paying any attention to your thoughts." Bella chuckled, knowing Edward was entirely focused n Laurent. "Where is the rest of your coven." Bella looked around.
"At the bar." They both said at the same time, laughing. "I will go say hi." With a hug, Bella left Maggie.
Bella snorted at the sight of Leah's twins, Cillian and Cian, trying desperately to keep their eyes on Athenodora's face as she spoke to them. "Frankly, it's a losing battle," Peter said, coming up behind her. Bella smiled a mile wide as they hugged. She caught Charlotte over his shoulder talking to Seth and Tanya.
"This is a surprise. Jasper didn't tell me you were coming." She cheered.
"We wanted to surprise you."
"Well, consider me thoroughly surprised." Bella looked back at Athenodora. Conall was stood to the side, barely containing his grin at the sight of the boys' drifting eyes. He caught Bella's eyes and lost it. "He laughs, but he was no better when he met Leah." Bella laughed. Charlotte snuck up behind Bella, lifting her off her feet.
"You know, I genuinely expected that shield of yours to send me flying." Charlotte joked.
"Why would it." Bella returned the hug. "Hi, Char. I do hope you guys are staying for a few days."
"Yeah, we are. I think the only people not staying in town are the Egyptians, well, just Amun and Kebi."Peter said, looking around for the coven in question.
"Yeah, Demetri told me. Apparently, they've got a trip planned." Bella understood her relationship with the Egyptian coven had also helped mend Amun's relationship with Demetri.
"Oh, those poor boys." Charlotte giggled. Bella turned around to find Cillian and Cian surrounded by Sulpicia, Heidi, Didyme. It was clear they were doing it on purpose.
"I will catch you later; I have some innocent boys to save before they are corrupted beyond help," Bella whispered as she headed to rescue the boys. It came as no surprise as she was intercepted by Alice.
"You moaned, groaned, grumbled, and sulked for the better part of a month, and I have yet to see that smile of yours vanish," Alice complained smugly.
"Really, Al, it's not as if this is the first time I have complained needlessly about shit you knew I was going to love anyway. Seriously, I have to go and save my nephews." Bella said.
"Oh, they are fine. They will thoroughly enjoy their night with Heidi. Leave them be." Alice locked arms and dragged Bella away.
"Really?" Bella asked, looking back at them.
"Really, Bella, they are nineteen years old; it will be an experience they will never forget." Alice giggled.
"I see your water bending has improved greatly," Amun said, coming up behind them.
"Oh, not you too." Bella groaned.
"I don't see a better name for it." He replied. "What else would you call such ability?" He lifted an eyebrow at her.
"Anything but that." Bella retorted.
"That is not the answer." He chuckled.
"That smile says it all," Didyme whispered against the shell of Bella's ear. Bella had found a seat and was nursing a large cup of blood. Not everyone was so comfortable with vampires drinking blood. Alice had cleverly made sure the blood was dispensed into paper cups. Honestly, she thought it was silly, but then she didn't organize a damn thing. She'd also question the large, expensive sectionals dotted around the tent, but again, she didn't organize anything.
"Yes, I am thoroughly enjoying myself." Bella laughed.
"Enough to spin your mate around on the dance floor?"
"Certainly." Bella drained her cup and took Didyme's hand in hers. A quick spin on the dancefloor turned into several hours of dancing. She was sure at one point she saw Aro and a woman she did not recognize dancing as well.
"You lost the bet, but you refuse to pay up," Caius growled. She'd done so well avoiding him.
"No, I am not refusing to pay. I refuse to hand over my Death of Wolverine comics. Think of something else." Bella muttered.
"I do want anything else. I want the comic." Caius blustered.
"Sorry, not happening," Bella said with a petulant shrug.
"Caius, it is a celebration; take your grumpiness elsewhere," Athenodora said, coming to Bella's rescue. With a groan, he stomped off. "Now, darling, I need to talk to you in private," Athenodora muttered urgently.
"Yeah, sure." Bella followed, concerned as to what it could be. "Is everything alright?" She asked as they reached the villa.
"No, Didyme and Sulpicia have been teasing me all night. I need you to do something about it." Bella stared at her incredulously.
"You got me out of the party with what appeared to be a problem of great concern, and it's to tell me that you are horny?" Bella bellowed.
"It's of great concern to me." She replied petulantly, looking so much like her brother just then.
"I suppose for you it would be." Bella leaned in close and pinned her against the wall. Her kiss was hard, unyielding, her thigh pushed between Athenodora's. The blonde moaned loudly, pressing harder on Bella's thighs. Bella then pulled away abruptly. "Oh, darling, the teasing hasn't even begun yet. Bella threatened and stepped back.
"Isabella, you wouldn't dare." Bella raised an eyebrow and was gone before Athenodora could even react. She chuckled all the way back to the tent. She was so going to pay for that, but it was worth it.
"Where is Dora?" Her two other mates asked.
"Oh, adding my own brand of driving her crazy to yours," Bella said with a smug smile walking to the bar. She grabbed an entire bottle of seventy-five-year-old Glenfiddich. She found it strange that she was alive when it was capped.
"Hey, you two." She joined the twins. She had barely seen them all night. "Where have you been hiding?"
"Making the rounds," Alec mumbled. "I just realized how popular we are." Bella laughed at his perplexed look.
"No one fears us anymore." Jane looked rather whistful about it.
"Drop someone, and they will remember why they feared you so much in the first place." Bella teased, knowing full well Jane would do no such thing. And that was why no one feared them anymore; gone were the days Jane would cause someone pain for the sake of her own amusement. Aro allowed that nonsense; Bella didn't. Cross her though, and nothing would stop Jane. Bella was fully aware of Jane using her gift on Chelsea a few days earlier. Felix gleefully informed her that Jane kept at it for the better part of an hour. Bella had no complaints about that.
"Who is the hotty with Aro?" Bella asked; the woman the only vampire she didn't know.
"That's Renata," Jane mumbled.
"Come again." Bella stared at Renata, still struggling to believe it.
"It's only because you are seeing her without her robe. She always has it up." Alec added.
"Who knew she was rocking that body under the robe," Bella murmured as the vampire in question winked at her.
"If you say so," Jane mumbled, little caring about what body Renata was rocking.
Bella sat back and put her feet up. "I just realized that if I were human, my feet would be dead at this point." She still kicked her shoes off and wiggled her toes.
"Do you miss being human?" Jane asked.
"I was uncomfortable in my own skin as a human. I was friendly with other humans but had no friends, not in Phoenix or in Forks. Aro called it. My fascination with Edward was the curiosity of the unknown. Learning there was something else, something I could potentially be. I could not make it with humans but maybe could do so with vampires and shapeshifters. I felt more comfortable among the supernatural than I did among human beings. The only humans I was comfortable with were my dad and Sue, and they knew the truth.
No matter my decision, Charlie and Sue, in an ideal world, would die and leave their children behind. Had Charlie not known, it might have made my decision harder. I was never going to leave him behind. Strangely, our relationship drastically improved after he discovered the truth. In the end, he knew and encouraged me to go for it. I still have Seth and Leah and always will. I have my nephews. I lost nothing and gained everything.
I never had the aspirations most humans had. To find love, get married, have children, grow old and die in my sleep.
Now, I'm comfortable with the idea of marriage and kids in the supernatural world. I want it all in the supernatural world, and I can have it too. My decision about becoming a vampire was made a long time ago; it was cemented when I learned about you two and the queens. If there is such a thing as born to become a vampire, I'm it." Bella takes a swig directly from the bottle, much to Esme's indignation. She matched over and took the bottle off Bella and filled a glass. "I thought you better than that." She growled
"Sorry," Bella mumbled. "So no, I don't miss being human. Not in the least." She smiled, draining the glass.